Tire deflation indicator



July 6, 1948. P. slEvER TIRE DEFLATION INDICATOR Filed May 23. 1947 Patented July 6i, 1.9.48

,UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 'rma DEFI-.ATION INDICATOR Paul SievenlMinneapolis, Minn. Application May 23, 1947, serial No. 750,085

My invention relates to improvements in de? nation-indicating devices forV pneumatic tires and more particularly to structures of this type utilizing a metallic sound-producing tongue :or

The primary object of my invention is the provision of a structure which makes possible easy replacement of the sound-producing tongue or element without replacement of the anchoring means therefor, or Without deflation of the tire.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a structure of the above type which can be manufactured at a minimum of cost, which is easy to install and replace, and which is durable in use.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a tire deation indicator, which is so light in Weight that it will not tend to ups'et the balance of the tire-equipped Wheel to which it is secured, irrespective of whether one or more are used thereon.

The above and still other objects of my invention will become apparent from the following detailed specification, appended claims, and attached drawings.

Referring to the drawings wherein like characters indicate like parts throughout the several views:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of the rim-equipped pneumatic tire, my device in side elevation;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevation of the structure, illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view corresponding somewhat to Fig. 1, but taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the member for anchoring the sound-producing tongue or element.

Referring with greater particularity to the drawings, the numeral I indicates a pneumatic tire which is mounted on a rim 2 having spaced outturned tire bead-engaging anges 3 and an axially straight body portion 4. The rim may be of any type, including the drop center type, and is more or less diagrammatically illustrated.

An anchoring device or member having a generally radially disposed body portion 5 intermediate the rim ange 3 and the bead portion of the tire I, is preferably provided at its radially inner end with an inturned foot 6 which is held between the bead of the tire I and the axially straight body portion 4 of the rim 2. The intermediate portion of the anchoring member is laterally offset, as indicated by the numeral '1,

2 Claims'. (Cl. 116--34) land underlies or is adjacent to the radially outer surface of the rim flange 3, as indicated particularly in Figs. l and 3. As shown, the oiset portion 'l extends axially outwardly beyond the rim flange 3 andV terminates in a generally radially outwardly-extended lip 8.

As shown particularly in Figs. 2 and 4, the portion 'i of the anchoring member is provided with a transversely extended, preferably closed end slot e, which is immediately adjacent to the lip 8. It will be noted, particularly by reference to Fig. 3, that the slot il is positioned axially outwardly with respect to the side edge of rim flange 3, so as to permit insertion in -a radially outward direction therethrough of an elongated conventional sound-producing tongue or clicker element I@ which is dished, as at Il, to make possible the production of sound or clicking noises when the tongue I0 is flexed beyond a given point. At its radially inner end, the tongue I0 is provided with an angularly-disposed foot l2 which is adapted to rest between the o'set portion 1 of the anchoring member and the radially outer extremity of the rim ange 3, thus preventing accidental removal of the tongue I0 in a radially inward direction. The foot I2 is of such length so as to prevent its being pulled through the slot 9 in a radially outward direction. The tongue Iii is thus held against accidental movement in either direction.

The resilient nature of the tongue I0 will permit its being exed suii'iciently so that it may be inserted through the slot 9 in a radially outward direction with respect to the tire I and rim 2, so that replacement of the tongue in the event 0f breakage thereof is very easily accomplished. The slot 9 is of sufficient width to allow the passage of the dished portion II of the tongue Ic therethrough, but` will prevent passage therethrough of the foot I2. It Will be seen, particularly with reference to Figs. 1 and 3, that when the tongue I is in position for operation on the tire, it is held against the tire in a partially flexed position, wherein the radially outer end of the tongue le exerts a yielding bias upon the side wall of the tire I. This initial flexed condition is insufficient to cause the tongue I0 to click upon rotation of the tire except when the tire I is partially deflated. Of course, when the tire I is in a partially deflated condition, rotation thereof will cause the tongue I to flex suiciently to produce a clicking sound, thus warning the operator of the vehicle of the partially inflated condition of the tire I.

My invention has been thoroughly tested and found to be adequate for the accomplishments of the objects above set forth.

While I have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that the same is capable of modication without departure from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim is: y

1. A tire deflation indicator comprising, an anchoringtmember` adapted tdbev interposed between .the beadportion of a tire and the ange of a rim mounting said tire, said member having a laterally offset intermediate portion adjacent the radially outer surface of said ilange and terminating in a generally .radiallyoutwardly disposed lip, a laterally extendedslot in. said offset portion adjacent said lip, and a sound producing tongue projecting radially` outwardly through said slot with its outer end` pressing against the side wall of the tire, said tongue being provided at its radially inner end with an 21"In adevice of theclass described, a soundproducing tongue, meansfor Y anchoring said 4 tongue to the flange of a tire-supporting rim, said means including a portion underlying the radially outer edge of the rim ilange and terminating in a generally radially outwardly-disposed lip, and a laterally-extended slot in said offset portion adjacent said lip, said tongue projecting radially outwardly through said slot with its outer end pressing against the side Wall of the tire and being provided at. its. radially inner end l with an -angularly-disposed foot adapted to engage the rim flange and secure said tongue `in said slot against accidental removal in a radially outward direction, said slot being spaced PAUL SIEV'ER.

REFERENCES CITED .The `following references are of record inthe file Y'of this` patent UNIT-'ED STATES PATENTS j Name Date] Clarke Mar. 14)122 Number 

